Knowing how to get quicker hair growth isn’t rocket science. Sometimes, all it takes is some traditional wisdom that has been passed down from generations and a little bit of trust.
I have had long and thick hair ever since my childhood. Random people complimenting me on my hair is the kindness I am used to.
But what I am also used to is people asking me questions like:
- How to get quicker hair growth?
- How do you have such thick hair?
- What is the secret to such hair length?
While genetics plays a pivotal role in your physical features like hair, your hair health is also dependent on the care and nurturing you give it from the outside.
Have you ever wondered if there’s a more effective way to grow long, luscious hair than the typical shampoos, conditioners, and hair growth creams?
Do you regularly visit salons for various hair treatments? After spending your hard-earned moolah, your hair doesn’t see any growth?
Do you want to try hair growth hacks with locally and readily available ingredients?
How to Get Quicker Hair Growth? 11 Simple & Traditional Hacks You Must Try
As I was browsing the shampoo aisle, a lady approached me, her eyes drawn to my long locks. Like many, she was battling hair loss, struggling with hair growth, and dealing with dry hair.
We all share the desire for long, shiny, healthy hair.
When we talk about hair growth, there are two sides to the coin, which we need to address to get results.
For hair growth, it’s important to remember that we have to treat both internal and external factors. Both play an equal role in achieving that lustrous mane you desire.
Hair loss can happen due to many reasons, like genetics, stress, hormonal imbalance, thyroid conditions, vitamin deficiencies, illnesses, etc.
This is why a balanced diet is necessary for your hair’s overall health. Consuming essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals keeps your hair strong, healthy, and lustrous.
1. Protein: Your Hair’s Best Friend
If you are suffering from severe hair loss, then the first thing you should consider is your protein intake.
Most people lack a sufficient quantity of protein in their diet, which leads to early hair loss.
The quantity of protein required for the body depends on how physically active a person is and how much muscle mass they have.
The hair shaft is entirely made of a protein called keratin, which the body requires to grow new hair.
Thus, less consumption of protein deprives your hair of the required nutrition, leading to hair loss and stunted hair growth.
Depending on your dietary choice, you can opt for vegan, vegetarian, or non-vegetarian protein sources.
2. Stress: Your Enemy
Times are gradually changing. Unlike before, people have started considering mental health as an important part of human well-being.
But considering mental health as a pillar for hair health still has a long way to go. Excessive stress and tension can lead to hair thinning and ultimately hair loss.
Yes, life has its own ups and downs, but that should not completely take you away from self-care. So, even when life gets busy, spare some time for things that matter to you. If you’re reading this, one of those things is your hair.
To keep your stress levels under control, you can practice yoga and meditation, work out regularly, walk in fresh air, or even vent your heart out in a journal.
3. Vitamin D: Your Hair Vitamin
Vitamin D is the vitamin for your bone and hair health. It is responsible for new healthy hair follicles, which are essential for your healthy hair growth.
Exposure to direct sunlight daily is the most natural and easiest way to increase your Vitamin D levels. Other than this, you can also add sources of Vitamin D like fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese, yogurt, mushrooms, etc, to your diet.
4. Iron: Your Hair Growth Secret
Iron and ferritin are required for hemoglobin, a protein found in our red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to body cells, allowing them to grow and repair themselves.
Low iron and ferritin levels cause hair loss. This affects your hair growth and health.
Lean red meat, beans, spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, eggs, and chicken are some rich sources of iron that you can include in your diet.
5. Scalp Massage
Every Indian woman goes back to her mother’s hack when it comes to hair growth: Scalp massages.
Massaging your scalp stimulates the blood flow, which encourages hair growth. It also strengthens the hair roots and helps nutrients reach the hair follicle sooner.
Oiling the scalp nourishes the hair follicles, softens the hair, and adds shine. It is also helpful in treating scalp infections.
The technique for scalp massage is to use warm oil and then massage it in circular motions with your fingertips.
You can use coconut, almond, sesame, olive, or castor oil for scalp massage.
6. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has gained popularity as a coveted wellness practice for its numerous benefits, both for skin and hair care.
While there are numerous skincare benefits of aromatherapy, it’s equally reliable for haircare too.
Rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, lavender, and peppermint are commonly used herbs to make oils in aromatherapy. Peppermint and rosemary oils are effective in promoting hair growth.
These oils are combined with carrier oils like coconut, almond, walnut, olive, jojoba, wheat germ, etc., to dilute the primary oils. Once done, they are ready to use on your hair.
7. Herbal Hair Oils
Hair oils infused with herbs act like hair tonics. Carrier oils are blended with herbal extracts to create herbal hair oils.
Here are some herbs that you can use to make these oils:
a. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a shrub with vibrant and edible flowers, also used for making herbal tea.
Hibiscus stimulates hair follicles and boosts hair growth.
One way to use hibiscus is to grind the leaves along with the flowers and apply them to the scalp and all over your hair. Leave it for 30-45 minutes, then wash your hair. Repeat this every 15 days.
To make hibiscus oil, boil the hibiscus flowers along with coconut oil till the oil changes to pink. Cool the oil and use it on your scalp regularly.
b. Brahmi
Brahmi is a creeper that is like an elixir for your hair. It is miraculously effective in many hair and scalp-related issues.
It reduces hair loss, helps treat dandruff, boosts hair growth, improves scalp health, prevents split ends, and has a soothing effect on the scalp.
To prevent hair loss, combine Brahmi powder in equal quantities with neem powder, amla powder, reetha powder, and shikakai powder to make a hair mask. The paste is applied to the hair, left for 30 to 45 minutes, and washed off.
You can find these directly on Amazon.
False daisy oil is infused with Brahmi to make hair oil. This oil is beneficial in treating dandruff, split ends, premature greying of hair, etc.
c. Jatamansi
Jatamansi is an herbaceous, hairy, perennial plant with antioxidant traits known for its hair-growing properties.
Jatamansi hair oil penetrates deeper and nourishes and stimulates hair follicles from within. It lengthens the follicular size, elongates the hair growth phase, and promotes complete hair growth. It also helps strengthen the hair roots.
It has naturally darkening properties, hence helpful in treating grey hair problems.
The antimicrobial properties of jatamansi ward off fungal and bacterial growth. It protects the scalp and keeps it free from dandruff and other scalp-related conditions and infections.
Jatamansi can be applied topically and consumed for its benefits for the hair. For direct scalp massage, you can blend it directly with a carrier oil and massage gently.
d. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Research shows that pumpkin seed oil is beneficial for hair growth and has proven effective in treating male pattern baldness.
It helps treat hair loss. Regular topical application of this oil increases hair growth and hair count.
It nourishes the scalp and hair follicles from the roots.
Pumpkin seed oil is used in hot oil hair treatment. This treatment is done about once a week for the benefits of this oil.
8. Aloe Vera
The power of Aloe vera is no hidden secret when it comes to hair growth. It strengthens the hair and makes the scalp healthier.
Aloe Vera is known for its soothing, healing, and cooling properties. It also calms the itchy scalp, acts as a deep cleanser for oily hair, strengthens and repairs your damaged hair, and promotes growth.
The gel-like substance inside the thick leaves is used as raw gel directly on the scalp and hair.
To use aloe vera for your hair problems: Rub it onto the hair and scalp and let it penetrate into the hair follicles. Let the gel stay in the hair for about an hour, then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
This process should be repeated once every week to see the best results.
9. Onion Juice
Using onion juice for your hair growth might sound like a gross option due to its strong smell. But, trust me, it works.
I have used it a few times, and it does what it promises.
Onion juice is packed with natural nourishment for the scalp as it increases blood supply to the hair follicles.
Regularly using onion juice on the hair and scalp produces shiny, healthy, longer, and thicker hair.
To use onion juice for hair, extract the juice of one or two onions (depending on the size of the onion) and strain it through a fine sieve. To take the effort to the next level, you can add coconut oil to the juice and then apply it.
Use a cotton ball to apply it onto the scalp, keep it for 30-45 minutes, and wash it with your regular shampoo.
10. Rice Water
The water obtained after washing, soaking, or cooking rice can be used to treat your hair problems and support your hair growth.
It is rich in starch and contains several vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that promote hair health.
Rice water has many benefits, like making hair smoother and stronger, increasing hair shine, and helping detangle your hair.
You can use the rice water to massage into the scalp for about 4 to 5 minutes.
11. Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberry, also known as amla, is rich in Vitamin C, tannins, phosphorus, iron, and calcium.
It helps strengthen the hair follicles and enhances your hair health. It also minimises grey hair, reduces dandruff, and conditions the scalp.
Regular use of amla juice helps to regenerate your skin cells and promote a healthier scalp.
Prepare the oil by boiling a carrier oil like coconut oil with fresh amla and use it to massage your scalp for hair growth.
It can be consumed as juice or applied to the hair as a powder. You can also use amla juice to rinse your hair or make hair masks.
Conclusion
Quicker hair growth isn’t an overnight phenomenon. While there are traditional hacks as mentioned in this blog, your genetics and nutrition play a very significant role in your hair health.
Thus, as much as you care for your hair from the outside, don’t forget to nourish it from within.
These hair growth hacks won’t work like a magic pill; however, they will slow down your hair loss and/or promote new hair growth.
Finally, avoid frequent hair treatments and styling, as heat and chemicals from hair styling do more damage to your hair than nourish it.
With that, I hope these traditional hair growth hacks made sense. And if you try any of these, I’d love to hear your experience with it.
